General Practical Physics I — 2026-exam Past Questions

University of Ilorin PHY107: 183 questions.

Topics: Measurement of length, The simple Pendulum, Viscosity, Graphical methods, Moment of inertia, Hooke's law (Static), Specific heat capacity of a liquid, Specific heat capacity of a good conductor (Metal block), Hooke's law (Dynamic), Thermal physics, Specific heat capacity of a good conductor, Specific heat capacity of a liquid (Cooling method)

1. The reading of the diameter of an object in the diagram above is shown. Find the volume of the sphere.
   1. 0.0074 cm³
   2. 0.074 cm³
   3. 1.15 cm³
   4. 0.74 cm³
2. Identify where the arrow is pointing on the main scale (see figure).
   1. 1.0 cm
   2. 1.5 cm
   3. 2.0 cm
   4. 0.5 cm
3. The zero error in the diagram above is?
   1. 0.02
   2. 0.05
   3. -0.02
   4. -0.05
4. The Vernier caliper in the figure reads:
   1. 1.14 cm
   2. 0.96 cm
   3. 1.2 cm
   4. 1.25 cm
5. The simple pendulum is an example of
   1. A perfect simple harmonic motion
   2. Simple harmonic motion at all angles
   3. Simple harmonic motion at small angles
   4. Simple harmonic motion at large angles
6. If Y = mX, the characteristic of the graph is
   1. Passes through the origin
   2. A straight line
   3. Positive slope
   4. Constant gradient
7. The unit of specific heat capacity is
   1. J
   2. J K
   3. J kg⁻¹ K⁻¹
   4. J K⁻¹
8. The copper lid in the calorimeter stops heat loss by
   1. Conduction
   2. Convection
   3. Radiation
   4. Evaporation
9. What is the least count of a vernier caliper?
   1. 0.01 cm
   2. 0.001 mm
   3. 1 mm
   4. 0.05 mm
10. Why is the upper mark far below the surface of the liquid in the viscosity experiment?
    1. To reduce buoyant force
    2. To prevent surface tension effect
    3. For the ball to attain terminal velocity before passing it
    4. To reduce pressure of the liquid
11. What is used to represent L in the moment of inertia experiment (rolling cylinder)?
    1. Length of slope
    2. Length of rod
    3. Length of wire
    4. Length of pendulum
12. Find the angular frequency of a simple pendulum of length 0.75 m when g = 10 m s⁻².
    1. 3.65 rad s⁻¹
    2. 4.00 rad s⁻¹
    3. 3.85 rad s⁻¹
    4. 5.00 rad s⁻¹
13. Which of the following correctly describes least count of an instrument?
    1. Accuracy of a measuring instrument
    2. Smallest measurement it can take
    3. Maximum error of an instrument
    4. Difference between two readings
14. In Hooke's law, the load (force) due to a mass M is represented as
    1. Ma
    2. kg
    3. Mg
    4. kgm
15. In the experiment to determine the moment of inertia, ____
    1. t⁻² is plotted against h
    2. t² is plotted against h
    3. h is plotted against t
    4. t is plotted against h
16. PVⁿ⁻¹ = K. Which graph will be plotted against which to obtain a straight line?
    1. P against V
    2. log P against log V
    3. V against P
    4. P against log V
17. In a simple pendulum experiment, T = 2π√(L/g). If L is plotted against T² and the slope is 0.232 m s⁻², find g.
    1. 9.15 m s⁻²
    2. 9.16 m s⁻²
    3. 10.58 m s⁻²
    4. 8.62 m s⁻²
18. The intercept in y = mx + c is the value of y when
    1. x = 0
    2. x = 1
    3. x = c
    4. y = 0
19. What is the formula of a straight line graph?
    1. y = mx
    2. y = mx + c
    3. y = x + c
    4. y = m + c
20. Hooke's law is represented by
    1. A straight line graph passing through the origin
    2. A curved graph passing through the origin
    3. A straight line graph cutting the y-axis
    4. A parabolic graph
21. Which of the following laws is associated with viscosity?
    1. Stokes' law
    2. Boyle's law
    3. Charles' law
    4. Hooke's law
22. Which of the following is apparatus for the viscosity experiment?
    1. Stopwatch
    2. Ball bearing
    3. Glycerol
    4. All of the above
23. Why is the dynamic method of Hooke's law preferred over the static method?
    1. Reduces parallax error
    2. It does not require measurement of extension
    3. It eliminates systematic error
    4. It is faster to carry out
24. What is used to measure the diameter of the small ball bearing used in the viscosity experiment?
    1. Vernier caliper
    2. Micrometer screw gauge
    3. Meter rule
    4. Travelling microscope
25. The experimental I (from the graph) and the practical I (from ½MR²) are compared to
    1. Assess 'no slip' condition
    2. Check for the value of g used
    3. Determine the mass of the cylinder
    4. Measure angular velocity
26. What is the pitch of a micrometer screw gauge?
    1. Distance moved by the spindle in one complete rotation
    2. Smallest division on the circular scale
    3. Thickness of the anvil
    4. Diameter of the spindle
27. If the elastic constant of an elastic material is high, then the extension would be
    1. Smaller (harder to extend)
    2. Larger
    3. Faster to extend
    4. Zero
28. Which set of apparatus is used for the viscosity experiment? I. Stopwatch II. Travelling microscope III. Glycerol IV. Magnet V. Thread
    1. I, II, IV
    2. I, II, III
    3. II, III, V
    4. None
29. Which of the following represents the formula of the moment of inertia of a solid cylinder about its axis?
    1. mr²
    2. ½mr²
    3. ¼mr²
    4. ⅓mr²
30. The internal diameter of a tube is measured by which instrument?
    1. Vernier caliper
    2. Micrometer screw gauge
    3. Metre rule
    4. Vernier microscope
31. The diameter of a thin rod can be measured with
    1. Vernier caliper
    2. Micrometer screw gauge
    3. Metre rule
    4. Travelling microscope
32. In the moment of inertia experiment (cylinder rolling down an inclined plane), which variables are kept constant?
    1. Angle of inclination and mass
    2. Length of the plane, mass and radius of the cylinder
    3. Height of the plane and radius of the cylinder
    4. Mass of the cylinder and height of the plane
33. Linearise Q = apⁿ
    1. Plot Q against p
    2. Plot log Q against log p
    3. Plot Q against log p
    4. Plot p against Q
34. In the formula h = 2L²(1 + I/mr²)/(gt²) for the moment of inertia experiment, L is the
    1. Height of the inclined plane
    2. Length of the inclined plane
    3. Length of the cylinder
    4. Radius of the cylinder
35. The pitch of a micrometer screw gauge is defined as
    1. The distance moved by the spindle in one complete rotation
    2. The number of divisions on the circular scale
    3. The distance between two divisions on the main scale
    4. The thickness of the anvil
36. What does the variable x in x = mg/k in Hooke's law represent?
    1. Amplitude
    2. Distance
    3. Displacement
    4. Extension
37. What is used to measure the diameter of a ball bearing and the thickness of a thin plate?
    1. Vernier caliper
    2. Micrometer screw gauge
    3. Metre rule
    4. Travelling microscope
38. Linearise the equation for the coefficient of viscosity (Stokes' law, F = 6πηrv).
    1. Plot force against velocity
    2. Plot velocity against force
    3. Plot time against distance
    4. Plot distance against time
39. Which instruments are used in Hooke's law experiment?
    1. Slotted masses, pointer, string
    2. Bob, slotted masses, spring
    3. Spring, slotted masses, metre rule
    4. Stopwatch, thread, magnet
40. A spring has an extension of 4 cm when a mass of 200 g is hung on it. Find the extension if the mass is 500 g.
    1. 8 cm
    2. 10 cm
    3. 12 cm
    4. 16 cm
41. If the length of a pendulum is reduced by 3/4, find the new period T₂ in terms of the initial period T₁.
    1. ½ (T₁)
    2. 1/√2 (T₁)
    3. 1/√3 (T₁)
    4. ¾ (T₁)
42. If the length of a pendulum is increased by 2/3 of its original length, find the new period in terms of the original period T.
    1. √(5/3) T
    2. √(3/5) T
    3. 5/3 T
    4. 3/5 T
43. The conversion of a solid directly to gas is called
    1. Evaporation
    2. Condensation
    3. Sublimation
    4. Deposition
44. In a Hooke's law experiment, the slope of the graph of extension against load is 0.013 m N⁻¹. Find the spring constant k.
    1. 76.92 N m⁻¹
    2. 13 N m⁻¹
    3. 0.013 N m⁻¹
    4. 100 N m⁻¹
45. The slope of a graph of load against extension in Hooke's law gives
    1. Time constant
    2. Mass constant
    3. None
    4. Spring constant
46. Which of the following laws is applied in finding the spring constant?
    1. Hooke's law
    2. Simple pendulum
    3. Stokes' law
    4. Boyle's law
47. Which of the following laws is applied when finding the coefficient of viscosity?
    1. Hooke's law
    2. Stokes' law
    3. Poiseuille's law
    4. Newton's law of motion
48. For T = 2π√(L/g), what is the slope of the graph of L against T²?
    1. 4π²/g
    2. 2π²/g
    3. g/4π²
    4. g/2π²
49. What does mcCc represent in the specific heat capacity of a metal block dropped in a liquid in a calorimeter?
    1. Mass of the calorimeter × specific heat capacity of the calorimeter
    2. Mass of the calorimeter × specific heat capacity of the liquid
    3. Mass of the metal × specific heat capacity of the metal
    4. Mass of the liquid × specific heat capacity of the liquid
50. Which instrument is used to measure the diameter of the ball used in a viscosity experiment?
    1. Vernier caliper
    2. Micrometer screw gauge
    3. Metre rule
    4. Travelling microscope
51. The density of the ball used in the viscosity experiment can be measured using: I. Micrometer screw gauge II. Vernier caliper III. Travelling microscope IV. Beam balance
    1. I and II
    2. II and IV
    3. I, II and IV
    4. All of the above
52. What happens if you wait for a while before transferring the hot liquid into a calorimeter?
    1. The liquid loses heat to the surroundings, lowering its temperature
    2. The liquid gains heat from the surroundings, increasing its temperature
    3. The liquid remains at the same temperature
    4. The liquid evaporates partially
53. The internal resistance to the flow of a fluid is called
    1. Viscosity
    2. Surface tension
    3. Density
    4. Pressure
54. Which instrument is used to measure the distance between two close parallel lines?
    1. Travelling microscope
    2. Meter rule
    3. Vernier caliper
    4. Micrometer screw gauge
55. The best way to take the slope of a graph is
    1. By taking values close to each other
    2. By taking values far apart
    3. By taking random values
    4. By averaging all values
56. Which type of graph requires the most number of points to draw accurately?
    1. Straight line
    2. Curved graph
    3. Histogram
    4. Bar chart
57. The two heights marked on the cylinder during the viscosity experiment are for what?
    1. To determine the height over which the ball falls
    2. To measure the radius of the cylinder
    3. To mark the liquid levels for calibration
    4. To calculate the density of the liquid
58. In the specific heat capacity of a metal block experiment, if hot water is accidentally added to the calorimeter containing the block, what happens?
    1. The final temperature will be less
    2. The specific heat capacity will be less
    3. The specific heat capacity will be higher
    4. There will be no change
59. What is the correct order of procedure during a viscosity experiment? I. Measure the radius of the ball II. Decide the two marks (upper and lower) III. Record the timing and calculate the coefficient of viscosity IV. Measure the time of fall of the ball
    1. I, II, III, IV
    2. I, II, IV, III
    3. II, IV, III, I
    4. II, I, IV, III
60. The moment of inertia of a cylindrical rod (solid cylinder about its axis) is determined from the formula
    1. ¼Mr²
    2. ½Mr²
    3. 1/12 Mr²
    4. ⅕Mr²
61. For the equation log p = n log a + log k, the slope of the graph of log p against log a is
    1. n
    2. k
    3. log a
    4. log k
62. Which law is required to determine the spring constant?
    1. Hooke's law
    2. Boyle's law
    3. Stokes' law
    4. Newton's law
63. In the heat balance equation mcCc(Tf − Ti) + mwCw(Tf − Ti), what does mcCc represent?
    1. Mass of the calorimeter and stirrer (times specific heat capacity)
    2. Mass of the liquid
    3. Mass of the metal block
    4. Mass of the water
64. Which of these is a systematic error?
    1. A cylinder sliding instead of rolling down
    2. Zero error in a measuring instrument
    3. Parallax error while reading a scale
    4. Random fluctuations in temperature
65. What is the ball dropped into a viscous liquid used to determine?
    1. Coefficient of viscosity of the liquid
    2. Density of the ball
    3. Terminal velocity
    4. Acceleration due to gravity
66. The length of a simple pendulum is increased. Then the time period will
    1. Decrease
    2. Increase
    3. Remain the same
    4. Can't predict
67. In a calorimeter, the lid prevents heat loss by
    1. Conduction
    2. Convection
    3. Radiation
    4. Evaporation
68. The transfer of heat energy without a material medium is by
    1. Radiation
    2. Convection
    3. Conduction
    4. Insulation
69. What are the constants in the equation of moment of inertia (rolling cylinder experiment)?
    1. M, L, r
    2. M, h, t
    3. I, M, r
    4. m, g, L
70. Which of the following has the highest viscosity?
    1. Honey
    2. Diesel
    3. Petrol
    4. Water
71. When viscosity increases, the speed of the material
    1. Increases
    2. Decreases
    3. Remains constant
    4. Becomes zero
72. Which of the following precautions should NOT be taken in a simple pendulum experiment?
    1. Close the windows to avoid air
    2. Avoid parallax error
    3. Avoid zero error
    4. Allow the string to stretch freely
73. What happens to the motion of the ball bearing before terminal velocity is reached?
    1. Velocity decreases
    2. Velocity of the fluid decreases
    3. Acceleration decreases
    4. Velocity increases
74. If you are given a spiral spring, a retort stand and a set of masses, what experiment is it?
    1. Experiment to determine the spring constant k of the spring
    2. Experiment to determine the extension e of the spring
    3. Experiment to determine the length of the spring
    4. None of the above
75. Heat loss by radiation can be minimized in a calorimeter by
    1. Cork stopper
    2. Vacuum between the walls of the calorimeter
    3. Silvered surface
    4. Cork support at the bottom of the calorimeter
76. What is the maximum acceleration of a simple pendulum if the amplitude A = 0.15 m, the length of string L = 0.75 m and g = 10 m s⁻²?
    1. 2 m s⁻²
    2. 3 m s⁻²
    3. 4 m s⁻²
    4. 5 m s⁻²
77. How can friction between two surfaces in contact be reduced?
    1. Add a lubricant
    2. Add a liquid
    3. Add a wedge
    4. Rubicant
78. The copper lid in the calorimeter stops heat loss by
    1. Conduction
    2. Convection
    3. Radiation
    4. Evaporation
79. What is frequency?
    1. Number of cycles per second
    2. Number of oscillations per cycle
    3. Time period of oscillation
    4. Number of vibrations per minute
80. In a non-viscous fluid contained in a cylinder, a spherical ball will drop with a constant
    1. Retardation
    2. Final speed
    3. Terminal speed
    4. Free fall acceleration
81. To determine the moment of inertia, you have to plot
    1. 1/t² against h
    2. h against t
    3. h against t²
    4. t against h
82. In the experiment with T = 2π√(m/k), m was plotted against T² and the slope was 0.013. Find k.
    1. 0.51
    2. 1.22
    3. 1.02
    4. 0.26
83. In a potentiometer experiment, r = (l₀ − l)R/l, where l₀ is the open-circuit balance length, l is the balance point and r is the internal resistance. A graph of 1/R against 1/l has slope 8 and intercept magnitude 4. Calculate r if l₀ = 200 cm.
    1. 2.5 Ω
    2. 0.25 Ω
    3. 25 Ω
    4. 250 Ω
84. A pendulum makes 60 oscillations in 90 s. Find the period of oscillation.
    1. 1.5 s
    2. 0.67 s
    3. 90 s
    4. 60 s
85. Parallax error can be avoided by viewing the measurements
    1. Directly above
    2. At an angle
    3. From the side
    4. Without a scale
86. For T = 2π√(m/k), what is the slope of a graph of T² against m?
    1. 4π²/k
    2. k/4π²
    3. 2π/k
    4. k/2π
87. What is ρ in the coefficient of viscosity formula (Stokes' law)?
    1. Density of liquid
    2. Density of ball bearing
    3. Mass of ball
    4. Radius of ball
88. If the measured value was 2 × 10⁸ and the actual value is 3 × 10⁸, find the percentage error.
    1. 33.3%
    2. 50%
    3. 66.7%
    4. 25%
89. A zero error in a measuring instrument is when
    1. The instrument does not read zero when it should
    2. The instrument reads negative
    3. The instrument reads maximum
    4. The instrument has parallax
90. What is the best explanation for a graph?
    1. It explains the relationship between variables
    2. It gives exact numbers
    3. It shows the experimental procedure
    4. It calculates errors
91. In the formula a² = 9ηd/[2g(ρ − σ)t], what is ρ?
    1. Density of ball bearing
    2. Density of liquid
    3. Mass of the ball
    4. Acceleration of gravity
92. If the measured value was 2.97 × 10⁸ and the actual value is 3 × 10⁸, find the percentage error.
    1. 0.1%
    2. 1%
    3. 10%
    4. 0.01%
93. When we have a positive zero error in a vernier caliper, what do we do?
    1. Subtract the error
    2. Add the error
    3. Ignore the error
    4. Multiply by the error
94. What is period?
    1. Time taken for one complete oscillation
    2. Number of oscillations per second
    3. Time taken for half an oscillation
    4. Number of cycles in one minute
95. What type of motion does the cylinder undergo in the rolling experiment?
    1. Translational and rotational
    2. Purely translational
    3. Purely rotational
    4. Vibrational
96. What temperature is critically needed for the specific heat capacity experiment (metal block)?
    1. Room temperature
    2. Temperature of the boiling water in the beaker
    3. Temperature of the ball after bringing it out of the beaker
    4. Temperature of the calorimeter only
97. Which of the following experiments makes use of an optical pin?
    1. Hooke's law
    2. Stokes' law
    3. Simple pendulum
    4. Viscosity experiment
98. What kind of experiment is the simple pendulum experiment?
    1. Simple harmonic motion (with small angles)
    2. Simple harmonic motion (with all angles)
    3. Free oscillation
    4. Damped oscillation
99. What apparatus is not needed for measuring the specific heat capacity of a metal block?
    1. Calorimeter
    2. Test tube
    3. Chemical balance
    4. Thermometer
100. A simple pendulum of length L = 150 cm makes 100 cycles in 246.7 s. Calculate the period of oscillation.
     1. 2.467 s
     2. 2.5 s
     3. 2.3 s
     4. 2.4 s

Register free to unlock all 183 questions with answers and explanations